Beats
- Prince arrives in disguise
- Elara's thorns react to his presence
- He bears a matching curse
- Their bond is destined—and dangerous
Excerpt
The prince did not arrive in silk and gold. He came as a scribe, hooded and silent, trailing behind the envoy. Elara felt the thorns beneath her bindings stir. Burn. As if they recognized something.
When their eyes met, his hood slipped. And she saw it: the same dark vines, creeping up his neck. He smiled—sad, knowing. "So," he said. "You exist."